GOP PICKS TOWN SLATE

Town Republicans on Wednesday nominated candidates for local boards and commissions who are veterans of local politics, some of whom are returning after a couple of years on the sidelines.

Of the six people nominated for the town council, only Michael Riccio is an incumbent. But he is joined on the slate by people with long experience in town politics. They include Nicholas DePaola, a longtime Democrat and former chairman of the council who quit the Democrats in 2004.

DePaola said he has been a Republican for the past two years. In addition to being on the council, he has been on the board of education and the board of police commissioners.

"I was asked to run, and I think I still have a little bit left to give," DePaola said.

DePaola and Riccio are joined on the council slate by Cheryl Lounsbury, who has been on the council a total of 12 years; Edward Pocock III, a former member of the board of education and the board of water commissioners; John Carmody, a member of the planning and zoning commission; and Dennis Palmieri.

Republicans said they hope to end what they said is out-of-control political gamesmanship by the Democrat-controlled council. Pocock said council Democrats too often resort to bullying to get their way.

"I want us to bring back some decorum, because the council definitely needs it," Pocock said.

Pocock also thanked Victoria Triano and William DellaVecchia for their many years of service on the council. Neither is running this year. Triano announced her decision not to run earlier this year. She has been on the council 16 years. DellaVecchia said Wednesday he is not running because he plans on spending much of his time traveling now that he has retired from his job. He said he first got involved in politics 30 years ago.

"I don't think it would be fair to run for a job that I could not fulfill," DellaVecchia said.

Nominated for town clerk was Leslie Cotton, who has held the position since 1993.

Six people were nominated to run for the board of education. They include incumbents Brian Goralski and Rosemarie Fischer along with newcomers Theresa Carmody, Colleen Clark, Gilda Notar-Francesco and Kimberly Roy.

Thomas Benevelli and Wayne Sanforth were nominated for the board of finance while Stephen Kalkowski, Ron Lamoreux and Kelly May Deldebbio were nominated for the planning and zoning commission. For the board of water commissioners, John Dobbins and Erik Semmel were nominated.